Hawaiian717 From United States of America, joined May 1999, 3226 posts, RR: 7Posted Fri Mar 1 2002 20:35:22 UTC (13 years 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 1823 times:

Yahoo is carrying a Reuters article that states that Midwest Express Airlines is looking at accelerating the delivery of 20 717s originally scheduled for delivery from 2003 through 2008. They are considering taking ex-AA/TW 717s.

I wonder what they're waiting for. Is it that they're waiting for the best possible deal? Is it that they're hesitant to fly an "orphan?" Is it that Midwest is in poor financial shape? Hope they cut a deal soon.

I guess this does confirm the Midwest Express order. I know Boeing wants to get rid of the orphaned 717s AA doesn't want, so Midwest Express and AirTran will help fleet modernization plans and keep the 717 line open; even though Boeing says they have no plans to shutter the line, and in fact are really planning to proceed with a stretched version within a few years. The question is are the TWA birds interior-wise configured differently than the AirTran birds, and would Midwest Express (and AirTran) have to do major mods on any they may pick up? A stretched 717 is what AirTran has an interest in (longer range, more pax) and could definitely be something Midwest Express could get to eventually replace their MD-80s. Has anyone heard anything new on any orders from south of the border? We know about Vuelo Mex (sp?), but have the whispers concerning Aeromexico grown louder?

It is a bit off topic, but the Wichata Business Journal of January 21, 2002 stated that Aloha/Hawaiian are to order additional orders for the 717 than the ones already on order (I think that they actually have twelve or thirteen.) The new orders are expected to replace Aloha's 737-2's. It didn't however, say an exact total on the new orders, but it did say that the deal is expected to boost up the 17 production line perhaps enough for Boeing to consider continuing operation of the line. I sure hope so. Anybody else w/ 717 order info?

I´ve recently heard that the Aloha/Hawaiian order is not so sure, heard that they have started to consider other types as well. Plus the fact that Aloha will keep the B737-700 fleet (have just signed a lease for one additional one fr 15?-years).

Aloha/Hawaiian merger has never been a sure thing. But if it does go through... the 717 will be the interisland passenger type, and they will probably try to get out of the 737-700 leases (or sublease them out) as they will likely be replaced by 757-200s for commonality with the 767-300ER. Four 737-200QCs will be kept as interisland freighters.

A little bit off topic; but Boeing Capital has stated that the ex-TWA/AA 717's will be offered to airlines in India, China, Phillipines and Latin America. That could mean that the Midwest Express 717's will all be new...